As you know, I’ve spent the entire pandemic in a creative frenzy.  My over 55 acting class fizzled out, but something wonderful sprang forth from it.  The three women in the front row of these two photos  (R to L,) me, Christine and June set out to create a series of episodes relating to issues that we encounter as we age.  We added Todd and Gail as time went on, and will probably continue to include more actors or substitute some as necessary.  I mean, we’re not going to live forever – at least not in this world.   In the meantime, were hoping to reach  senior centers, assisted living and memory care facilities, along with the theatre where it all started.

Our stories are taken from real life experiences.  The main characters range in age from 60s to 80s.  Each of us are experienced in education, the arts, performance and we all love to write.  This started as an experiment.  It morphed into a radio show – which we recorded – and is now in its current state of reaching out to the community in live performance.  This week we’re performing for a local senior center.  From Thursday through Saturday, we’ll be at our home base performing.  

We started this process just prior to the pandemic and shutdown almost two years ago.  When things closed down, we continued to meed via Zoom.  Even in those meetings, we couldn’t contain our laughter nor the relationships we were building along the way.  In any collaboration, there will be differences of opinion, but they seem to be working out and causing more ideas to take root. 

This week’s shows are “The Auction,” which deals with downsizing and getting rid of our stuff so that we can remodel the rest rooms at our theatre.  It was originally designed for children and the toilets are all short.  The auction will help us raise money to raise the toilets. The second show, is called, “Technical Difficulties,” which includes password problems, dealing with technology while using a rotary phone and opening a new computer that displays only the word, “Dell.”  Having grown up without all this technology creates a great deal of comedy.  The cool thing is that it’s relateable to all ages as the youngers get frustrated while teaching their elders how to use it.  During the holiday season, the Jewels’ usual plans are interrupted and we decide to take a cruise together.  There is definitely more to come.  

So why is this so important?  The program began as a means to get those 55+  folks back into the community and doing something useful and fun while creating new friendships and sharpening our minds.  You’re only as young as you allow yourself to be.  As far as aging is concerned, I’ve tried it and it’s really overrated.  My friends and I have used the pandemic for our own enjoyment and sanity. It has opened the doors to a whole new enterprise.  Stay tuned for our next episode.